Environmental Modeling Laboratory (EML),

University of North Texas

• Projects: Overview, Current, Recent and Past
  
• Papers: Abstracts
  
• Model results and visualizations http://emod.unt.edu
• Biocomplexity, coupled human-natural models http://www.geog.unt.edu/biocomplexity/
• Environmental Conditions Online DFW Metroplex http://www.ecoplex.unt.edu
• Mission, Students

Projects: Overview

Current projects include development of coupled human-natural systems for Biocomplexity (NSF, BCS) in cooperation with a large inter-disciplinary research team; development of the MOSAIC model for landscape dynamics, including uncertainty and error propagation (NSF, DEB, QEIB) in cooperation with mathematics and computer science departments; tropical forest modeling and management application to the Imataca Forest Reserve, Venezuela (NSF, DBI). We are also working on Tropical Savannas and Mediterranean shrub modeling (NS, INT) in cooperation with Universidad de Alicante, Spain. Watershed and reservoir modeling for Lake Texoma is conducted for the Watershed Assimilative Capacity Project (US EPA and US COE) in cooperation with scientists of the Institute of Applied Sciences. Environmental Conditions for the DFW Metroplex are tracked online by the Ecoplex project in cooperation with scientists of the Institute of Applied Sciences. To extend Ecoplex activities, we are currently developing a low-cost real-time ozone monitor. Our light quality work is currently being conducted in Andean Cloud Forest, in cooperation with the University of the Andes (ULA). Recently concluded projects on Storm Water Information and Modeling for the City of Carrollton, developing MOSAIC for the Luquillo mountains in Puerto Rico, water quality models for the lower Caroní river (CVG-EDELCA), and a GIS-model-database system for the wildfire database program in the Gran Sabana of Venezuela (in Cooperation with ULA and supported by EDELCA).

Current Projects

• Biocomplexity: Integrating models of natural and human dynamics in forest landscapes across scales and cultures. With collaborators at University of North Texas, Yale University, Rice University,Universidad de Los Andes and Universidad Experimental de Guayana, Venezuela. NSF-BCS.
  
• Storm Water Information Management Program, City of Carrollton.
• QEIB: uncertainty analysis, spatial interaction and response functions in scaling-up models of forest ecosystems. With M. Monticino and A. Mikler. NSF, DEB Ecosystem Studies. 
  
• Modeling grass and shrub vegetation recovery after disturbance, Collaborative Research Project. NSF International Programs Division, Western Europe. Savanna modeling
• Landscape models and management of tropical forests in Venezuela, NSF-DBI and International Programs Division.
• Lake Texoma: watershed and reservoir modeling. US EPA and US COE.
• Calibration of gap models for two forests in the llanos of Venezuela and their application to management of natural forests. In collaboration with H. Ramirez (PhD dissertation) and A. Torres at the Silviculture Institute of the University of the Andes (ULA), in Mérida, Venezuela.
• Development of a Stratospheric Ozone Detector, University of North Texas

Recent projects

• MOSAIC Landscape Modeling of the Luquillo Experimental Forest. Tropical Ecosystem Studies (ITES), University of Puerto Rico, NSF-LTER.
• Modeling tropical forests: trees, stands and landscapes. NSF, International and Computational Biology programs.
• Environmental and Geographical Modeling: web based distance learning. Teaching with Technology, University of North Texas (UNT).
• Environmental Condition On-line DFW Metroplex (ECOPLEX). EMPACT program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ORD-NCERQA.
• Scaling Forest Ecosystem Dynamics from Trees to Landscapes. NSF Computational Biology. In collaboration with Duke University and Oregon State University.
• ENSO signal and Venezuela climate data (AMS 99 Dallas) Variability of Climate in Venezuela and Pacific SST anomalies
  
• Cladocera models Cladocera modeling
• Water quality models lower Caroni river (Supported by EDELCA, Env. Management Dept.)
• Wildfire database program (In Cooperation with ULA and supported by EDELCA, Env. Management Dept.)

Past projects

• Calibration of gap models for two forests in the llanos of Venezuela and their application to management of natural forests. In collaboration with H. Ramirez (PhD dissertation) and A. Torres at the Silviculture Institute of the University of the Andes (ULA), in Mérida, Venezuela.
• Dynamics of forested watersheds and landscape models. Application to the Imataca Forest Reserve. In collaboration with L. Delgado (MSc Thesis), University of Guayana, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.
• Spatially-explicit model of elevation dynamics in coastal wetlands as a function of sedimentation processes and sea level change. In collaboration with H. Williams (Geog. Dept.) and S. Yildiz (MSc Thesis).
• Models of primary production and respiration in aquatic ecosystems. Dissolved oxygen dynamics calibrated with data from automated probes deployed in Bayou Chico, Pensacola, Florida. Part of the IAS Bayou Chico demonstration study for the US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory.
• Chlorophyll a and seagrass cover predictors based on high resolution spectral signature. Also part of the IAS Bayou Chico demonstration study for the US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory.
• Spatial and spectral distribution of light in forest canopy gaps. In cooperation with T. Spies (Oregon State University) and S. Monteleone (PhD dissertation).
• Modeling forested landscapes: developing efficient tree-to-landscape scaling-up procedures. In cooperation with D.L. Urban, Duke University, S.Garman, Oregon State University and M. Ablan (PhD dissertation).
• Using airborne high resolution imagery to determine forest cover. An AVIRIS case study of the HJ Andrews forest, Pacific Northwest. In cooperation with S. Atkinson (CRSLA) and M. Necsoiu (CRSLA).
• Urban runoff model/GIS of Bayou Chico watershed, Pensacola, Florida. Part of the IAS Bayou Chico demonstration study for the US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory. Toar Schell (MSc thesis).
• Hydrodynamic, thermal and environmental modeling of two cooling lakes. Eastman Texas Chemical Company, Longview, Texas. Bin Qiu (MSc thesis).
• Modeling pesticide exposure in tidal streams of Leadenwah Creek, South Carolina. US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Breeze Environmental Research Laboratory. In collaboration with K. Dickson, T.W. Waller and M.Ablan.
• Development of a plot scale dynamic forest simulator (DYNLAYER) based on semi-markov theory, using roles of tree species and parameterized from ZELIG output. In cooperation with D.L. Urban (Duke University) and H.H. Shugart (University of Virginia).
• Development of a landscape scale forest simulator (MOSAIC) based on the use of DYNLAYER at every cell and coupled to the GRASS GIS for display, data management and spatial analysis. In cooperation with D.L. Urban, Duke University and M. Ablan.
• Development of a user friendly interface for environmental simulation SEEM on ISA machines running DOS. Shell for ecological modeling and simulation software. UNT Office of Research Administration. In cooperation with S.Atkinson, W.T. Waller and Xiong Xiang.
• Narrow band spectral signature of eutrophic experimental microcosms. In cooperation with S. Atkinson, W.T. Waller, J. Kennedy. UNT internal funds. Fred Bogs (+).
• Scaling effects of stress at the organism level to the population level. Cladocera sexual reproductive strategy. In collaboration with T.W. Waller.
• Potential Environmental Consequences of Free Trade Agreements: a prospective analysis for the case of Venezuela. Funded by the North-South Center, University of Miami.
• Development of electronics and instrumentation for real time biomonitoring: includes sensor design, signal modeling and analysis, collection platform. In cooperation with Ecotoxicological Lab., IAS. Funded by UNT Research Office, and Texas Water Resource Institute.Use of remotely sensed bioelectric action potentials to evaluate toxicity events and ambient toxicity
• Comparative Oil/Orimulsion Spill Assessment Program (COSAP), Task 5. Trac Laboratories and Florida Power and Light. In cooperation with CMEA, RSMAS, University of Miami.
• Calibration and of EPIC model for long term cultivation in Colorado and linkages to climate change scenarios. In cooperation with USDA, Fort Collins, CO.
• Calibration of savanna models for the savannas in the Oriental Llanos of Venezuela. In cooperation with NREL, Colorado State University and CIELAT, Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela.
• Regionalization of climate change effects on Maize cultivation in Venezuela using DSSAT. In cooperation with CESIMO, Universidad de los Andes, Venezuela.